Weft-replenishing mechanism for looms.



Patented Feb. l,`|902. H. W. SMITH.

WEFT REPLENISHING MECHANISM FDR LOOMS.

(Application .led May 19. 1900.)

2 Shetsj-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

. A E7 y Mw Patented' Feb.. 11,1902.

' H. w. SMITH. WEFT REPLENISHING MEGHANISM FDR LOOMS.

(Application med may i9. 1900.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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w n mi UNITED STATES ATENT WEFT-REPLENISHING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 692,933, dated February 11,'1902.

Application filed May 19, 1900.

T0 all whom it' may concern.-

Be it known that I, HARRY `W. SMITH, a citi-- zen of the United States, and a resident of Vorcester, county of Worcester, State of Massachusetts, 'have invented an Improvement in Veft-Replenishing Mechanism for Looms, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings; is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

The invention to be hereinafter described relates to looms wherein illingchanging mechanism is employed to effect a change of filling when that in an active shuttle has become practically exhausted, and more particularly to such type of loom embodying shifting or drop boxes supplying different characters or colors of filling.

In the class of looms referred to it is desirable that the change of filling shall not take place on the same pick or beat of the lay in which the practical exhaustion of filling is detected, since the quick operation necessary is liable to cause uncertainty of action and probable breaking of parts. In a shifting or drop box loom, however, if the indicating or practically exhausted shuttle is permitted to make one or more picks it may reach the shifting or drop boxes at a time when the latter are to be moved under the call of the pattern to bring a shuttle having a different character or color of filling into play, in which event the next pick will fail to bring the practically exhausted or indicating shuttle into position to have its iilling changed. Under these circumstances it becomes necessary to suspend the action of the filling-changing mechanism until the practically exhausted or indicating shuttle has been brought into action again and arrived in position adjacent the said mechanism and to then cause the said mechanism to act to effect the change of filling in a manner as if the shifting movement of the shuttle-boxes had not occurred between the picks of the practically exhaustedshuttle. p

Vith these and other objects in view I haveA devised means whereby a condition of practical exhaustion of filling in an active shuttle sets devices in position and maintains them in such position to cause the operation of the filling-changing mechanism on the pick that Serial No. 17.252. (No model.)

returns a shuttle to the changing side of the loom, providedin the meantime the shifting` or dropl boxes are not moved to bring a different shuttle into action; but should the boxes be so moved under the call of the pattern to bring another shuttle into action then said devices are adapted to suspend the action of the filling-changing mechanism until a'subsequent return of the practically exhausted shuttle to the boxadjacent the said mechanism.

In the present embodiment of my invention I have shown and described a loom employing a drop-box for four shuttles; but it is evident that a drop-box for any desired number of shuttles may be used. Likewise p I have chosen to illustrate a loom wherein the filling-carriers are adapted to be changed in the shuttles to supply fresh filling; but it is equally apparent and I desire it to be understood that my invention is not limited in this respect, and when in the specification and claimsI refer to a filling-changing mechanisn1I mean mechanism that will either eject the practically exhausted carrier from the shuttle and supply a filled carrier or will effect a change of shuttles.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of a loom embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a front view thereof with the central portion of the loom broken away. Fig 3isa detail side sectional view of the indicating device. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view thereof. Fig. 5 is a detail of one form of shuttle and detecting devices that may be employed.

The invention to be described may be applied to any form of drop-box loom provided with a lling-changing mechanism; butin the present instance and as illustrating the apy plication of my invention I have selected the type of loom disclosed in the patent to Wyman and Crompton, No. 600,053, dated March l,`

1898. The loom-frame A, crank-shaft C,v camshaft B, lay H,connectingrod H',fillingfeeder GG, su pporting-arm Gs,transferrer 26,the rockshaft G', extending across the loom-frame and having the arm G2 connected to the main shuttle-box lever Eby the connecting-rod G4, the shuttle-box rod n, also connected to the main shuttle-box lever E, the arm G3, having pivoted thereto the rack-bar G5, the series of gears 3l 34 3G 32+ and connected parts, some IOC) of which are not shown, and operated from the rack-bar G5 to move the filling-feeder in unison with the shuttle-boxes to maintain the proper filling-carrier in proper relation to the transferrer 26, the arm 43, the lever 38, rod 37, cam 0,and operating connections are and may he allas shown in the said Patent No. 600,053.

The filling-feeder GG, as set forth in the patent referred to, is provided with a series of lling-carriers 22, arranged in groups corresponding to the arrangement of the filling in the shuttle-boxes, and is connected to the shuttle-boxes in a manner to be moved in unison therewith. When a change of filling takes place,the filling-feeder is given another movement independent of the motion of the sh Little-boxes to bring another group of fillingcarriers in position opposite or adjacent to the filling-transferrer. As means for effecting these movements are fully set forth iu the patent referred to, as above set forth in general terms, and form no part of my invention, Ihave not deemed it necessary or essential to a full understanding of my improvements to describe or illustrate the same in detail except in so far as my improvements are connected thereto. Neither have I shown and described herein the mechanism for shifting the drop-boxes, as any well-known form of such mechanism may be em ployed-as, for instance, that disclosed in Patent No. 600,053,to which reference has been made.

Secured to the loom-frame is a bracket a, provided with a sleeve or bearing ct' for the support of what I term the indicating device. In said bearing is tted to turn a stud or shaft a2, having an enlarged or flanged end a3. The opposite end of the stud or shaft a2 has secured thereto, preferably on the extension a5, the hub a4 of an indicator D, preferably of circular form, as shown in Fig. 3, and having disposed about its periphery a series of depressions D. In the particular character of indicator shown these depressions are formed as a part of the casting; but it is obvious that such construction may be varied Within wide limits, it being only essential, as far as my in vention is concerned, that depressions be providedon the periphery or outer surface of the indicator. y

Pivoted at d Within each depression D is a dog or lifter d, one end of which projects beyond the face of the indicator D and is preferably flattened or provided with a lip d2. A spring d3, secured at one end to the w-all of the depression D', as at d4, and at its other end to the dog or lifterk at d5, is so disposed with relation to the pivot d of the dog 0r lifter as that it will act on either side thereof, according as the dog or lifter is contained within the depression, as shown by full lines, Fig. 4, or in raised position, as shown by dotted lines of said figure, and thus maintain said dog or lifter 'by a yielding force either in such lowered or raised position.

A stop d, formed upon each dog, limits its movement into the depression under the action of spring cl3, while a stop d?, formed as a part of or projecting from the wall of the depression D' and contacted by a shoulder d8 on the dog or lifter, determines the limit of outward movement of the dog or lifter, as will be readily apparent from Figs. 3 and 4.

Each dog or lifter between its ends is preferablyprovided with a raised portion or cam 629, upon which the dagger b, pivoted at b' to the downward-extending arm b3, secured to move in unison with the transfer-rer pivoted at b4, is adapted to rest. The dagger b is also provided with a raised portion or projection b2, located at a point in its length, as shown, with its highest part just beyond or inward of the raised portion or cam di), for a purpose that will presently appear.

When the dog or lifter, located for the tim being beneath the dagger b, is in its lowered position within the depression` D', the said dagger is permitted to rest with its end out of the path of a bunter b5, carried by the lay H; but should said dog or lifter be raised it Will carry the said dagger into position to be struck by the bunter and cause a transfer of filling, as Will be obvious. As the bunter pushes the dagger forward to operate the transferrer through the connecting-arm b3 the raised portion or projection b2 on the dagger will ride over the raised portion or cam dfon the dog or lifter and in turn depress the same against the action of its spring d3 until the movement of the dog or lifter has carried the spring past its pivot ol', when the spring will assert its force in completing the movement of the dog or lifter about its pivot and hold the same in its position within the depression.

Pivoted at c2 to a bracket c', secured to the loom-frame, is a lever c, one end of which has a pin or roller c3, traveling in the groove of a cam C3, and to the other end of which is pivotally connected an actuator or rod c4, passing loosely through a guide-arm c5, secured to the loom-frame, with its upper end c6 adjacent to the projecting end or lip cl2 of the dog or lifter d which for the time being is uppermost, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

By virtue of the cam Ca the rod or actuator c4 is given a reciprocating movement in a substantially vertical direction, the path traveled by the endoG of the rod or actuator c4 being normally such that the said end will pass but not contact with the projecting end or lip of the dog or lifter. It is evident, however, that should the actuator or rod c4 be moved so as to place its end beneath the lip of the uppermost dog or lifter then said dog or lifter will be turned about its pivot by the actuator or rod c4 and be held in raised position by the spring d3 to thereby position the dagger to be struck by the bunter b5, and such movement of the rod or actuator c'1 is Secured on a practical exhaustion of the filling in an active shuttle, as will now be dcscribed.

Secured to a bracket f', carried on the loom- IIO - metal band g5, which is normally covered by' frame, is an electromagnet f, the armature f3 of which loosely embraces bythe free end the actuator or rod c4, which is free to reciprocate vertically through said end. Preferably adjacent the single shuttle-box X are the two terminals f2 f2 of an electric circuit connected by the wires l and 2 and the usual bindingposts to the electroinagnetf, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and to whichv electric energy is supplied from any suitable source-as,'for 4instance, the battery P. One form of shuttle adapted to be employed in this embodiment of my invention is shown in detail in Fig. 5, wherein the shuttle g, open from top to bottom,is provided with the usual holding-clam ps g2 g2 for the illingcarrier and has preferably extending lengthwise thereof the contact-strips g4 g'l in electric connection with the detectors g3 g3, formed as'spring-arms to normally press upon the filling on the carrier g'. The carrier g is provided at a convenient point in its length with a conductor or the filling when the carrier is provided with a working supply; but should the iilling approach exhaustion then the conductoror band g5 is exposed and will be contacted by the detectors g3 g3 to establish an electric connection between the contact-strips g4 g4 on the shuttle, said strips being normally insulated from each other.

The terminals f2 f2 are preferably formed as spring-ngers f4, normally pressed with their free ends into the path of the shuttle as it enters the box X and adaptedto contact at such times with the strips gl g4 of the shuttle. From the construction thus described it will be evident that as long as the active shuttle that enters the box X carries a Working supply of filling the detectors g3 g3 will be held out of contact with the conductor or ring g5; but should the iilling in an active shuttle become so far exhausted as to expose or uncover the ring or conductor g5 then the detectors g3 g3 will be joined in electric connection and a current will beA established through the strips g4, terminals fgfz, Wires l and 2, and electromagnet f, Which being` thus energized will attract its armature f3 and move the actuator or rod cAl into position beneath the projecting end or lip d2 of the upper dog or lifter of the series carried by the indicator D and on its upward movement will raise said dog or lifter to position the' dagger b to effect a change of filling in the manner already explained.

It will be noticed in the present embodivention, the ,shuttle after having indicated a condition of practical exhaustion of -jlling through the, detecting mechanism, as .Y explained, is picked on'the next back Stroke of the lay to the opposite box-in this case-the drop-boxesY. The timingof the reciprocations of the actuator or rod c4 by the camC3 is such that the actuator or rod cton eachalternate pick completes its upward movement on the back stroke of thelay. Therefore When an indication of practical exhaustion of lilling 'has beenmade the actuator does not set the dog or lifter to position the daggervto be struck by the bunter on that beat-up in which the indication was made; but as the dog or lifteris left raised and held raised byits spring d3 the bunter b5 would strike the dagger b on the next beat-up, 'a time when. there is 'no shuttle in the single box, unless provisions were made to obviate such action, and this I do in the following manner: The bunter b'is mounted on an arm 226, pivoted at bl to an arm b9, pivoted at 118 to the lay Il and connected at its opposite end with a rod Z910, extending the length of the lay-swords b1G and connected at 615 to the end of a lever blhpivoted at 512 to bracket bw. The end bu of the lever b rides on the cam Z914, carried by the cam-shaft B and timed to, move the bunter through the described connections out of position to engage the dagger each`tin1e a shuttle is picked to the drop-box side ofthe loom, but to return said bunter toits engaging position when a shuttle is in the single-box side. From this it will be understood that should a'shuttle become practically exhausted on reaching the single-box side of the loom an electric circuit will be completed through the means described and set the actuator or rod c4 to completely raise the dog or lifter, as explained, on the back stroke of the. lay. The practically exhausted shuttle will then be picked to the drop-box side andthe lay will again be moved forward, at which time the bunter through its connections With the cam 1914 will be lifted, so as not to strike the dagger, which is now in held-up position. On the next pick should the drop-boxes be not moved by the call of the pattern the practically exhausted shuttle will be returned to the single-box side of the loom, and as the bunter bis now moved to position to strike the dagger b, which is still held raised by the raised dogorlifter, the Iilling-changing mechanism will'be operated in the usual manner to effect a transfer of the carriers in the sh uttle. Should the drop-boxes ICO IIO

a pinion h, which is engaged by the teeth h' of a sliding rack h2, movable in guides h3 and joined at its lower end to a flexible connection, as a cord, rope, or chain h4, passing over suitable guide-pulleys h5 and suitably joined to the shuttle-box motion in a manner such that movement of the shuttle-boxes to bring different shuttles on a line with the race will move said cord, rope, or chain h4 and through it the rack h2. In the form of connection herein illustrated between the shuttlebox-motion and cord, rope, or chain h the latter is secured at one end to the shuttle-box rod, as at h, by the collar hl; but it is evident that it might be secured to any portion of the box-motion, the only requisite being that it shall be moved in unison with the boxes and transmit such movement to the sliding rack h2. A spring 7b, surrounding the sliding rack h2 and interposed between the guide h3 and a collar hw, secured to the sliding rack by a screw or pin h, is preferably employed to raise the rack h2 When the fall` ing movement of the shuttle-boxes gives slack to the flexible connection h2. From this construction it will be'seen that as the shuttleboxes rise and fall under the call of the pattern to bring shuttles having different characters and colors of filling into action such movement Will be transmitted by the flexible connection 7L and spring b9 to the sliding rack h2 and by it transmitted to the pinion 7L, which in turn rotates the indicator D.

The indicator D is provided, preferably, With a number of depressions D and dogs or lifters d corresponding to the number of shuttles adapted to be employed by the drop-boxes,

and as the indicator and the dogs or lifters rotate by the action of the rack h2 in unison With the rise and fall of the shuttle-boxes each dog or lifter in effect maintains a relation to one of the boxes in the series of drop-boxes such that as said box is brought onto the line of the race the indicator is rotated to bring its corresponding dog or lifter in position beneath the dagger b, and when the said box is moved out of line of the race its dog or lifter` is, by the rotation ofthe indicator D, removed from beneath the dagger. It will thus be seen that should a shuttle become practically exhausted of filling as it enters or reaches the single box X it will, through the detectors and adjunctsdescribed, move the actuator or rod c4 into position to lift the dog or lifter corresponding to the shuttle in play and which is at that time uppermost and directly beneath the dagger b, and the spring cl3 Will retain said dog or lifter raised. Should the drop-boxes be not changed when the exhausted shuttle reaches that side of the loom, the indicator D yvill not be moved, and consequently the dog or lifter corresponding to the exhausted shuttle will remain raised and hold the dagger b in position to be struck by the bunter on the next pick, which Will carry the exhausted shuttle to the single box and to thereby. effecta change of filling. Should the drop-boxes be changed, however, on the arrival of the practically-exhausted shuttle to that side of the loom, the indicator will be rotated by the ,rack-slide h2, carrying the dog or lifter, which has been raised by the actuator, from beneath the dagger l), so that on the next pick there Will be no change of filling, yet the dog or lifter corresponding to the exhausted shuttle will remain in raisedposition by virtue of its spring d3, and in the subsequent operation of the loom Whenever the drop-boxes move to bring the exhausted shuttle into play again the indicator will likewise bring the raised dog or lifter into position to hold the dagger b in the path of the bunter to effect a change of filling in the exhausted shuttle when it is picked into the single box.

It will be noticed that whenever an active shuttle becomes practically exhausted in the single or detecting box X the dog or lifter corresponding thereto is set to put the dagger in position to effect a change of filling and that the dog or lifter remains set even though the drop-boxes change, so that Whenever the exhausted shuttle returns to the changing side of the loom the filling thereof is at once changed Without the necessity of another indication of its exhausted condition bythe indicating devices. In other Words, when a shuttle has become practically exhaustedof filling devices are set to effect a change of filling at any time said shuttle returns to the changing side of the loom, and I have therefore designated the indicator D, its dogs or litters, and generally coacting parts a held-up indication for suspending the action of the filling-changing mechanism until a subsequent arrival of the shuttle to the changing side of the loom.

Vhile I have shown special forms of detecting mechanism, as the electric contacts, electric circuit, special form of shuttle, de-

tectors and actuator for the dogs and lifters, it is to be understood that `my invention is not limited thereto, as the held-up indication device can be used With any electrical, mechanical, or other form of detecting mechanism.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a loom the following instrumentalities, viz: shifting or drop shuttle-boxes, a filling-changing mechanism, means for operating the latter to effect a change of filling when that in an active shuttle has become nearly exhausted, and devices for suspending the action of said means until a subsequent arrival of the nearly-exhausted shuttle in the box adjacent the filling-changing mechanism.

2. In a loom the following instrumentalities, viz: shifting or drop shuttle-boxes, a filling-changing mechanism, means for operating the latter to effect a change of filling when IOO IIO

that in an active shuttle has become practically exhausted, and devices connected to the shifting or drop shuttle-boxes for suspending the action of said means until a subsequent arrival of the practically-exhausted shuttle in the box adjacent the filling-changing mechanism.

3. In a loom the following instrumentalities, viz: shifting or drop shuttle-boxes, a filling-changing mechanism, an indicator provided with devices for controlling the operative condition of said mechanism, fillingdetecting mechanism operative on a practical exhaustion of filling in an active shuttle to position said devices, and connections between said indicator and shuttle-boxes.

l. In a loom the following instrumentalities, viz: shifting or drop shuttle-boxes, a filling-changing mechanism, an indicator provided with devices for controlling the operative condition ofsaid mechanism, electricallycontrolled filling-detecting mechanism operative on a practical exhaustion of filling in an active shuttle to position said devices, and means to cause said indicator to move in unison with the shuttle-boxes.

5. In a loom the following instrumentalities, viz: shifting or drop shuttle-boxes, a filling-changing mechanism,means for operating the same to effect'a change of filling, devices for placing said means in operative position controlled by the condition of the filling in an active shuttle, and connections between said devices and the drop-boxes to suspend the effective action of said devices when the shuttle-boxes are moved afteran indication by the active shuttle.

6. In a loom the following instrumentalities, viz: shifting or drop shuttle-boxes, a filling-changing mechanism including a transferrer, a dagger connected 'to the latter, devices controlled by the condition of filling in the active shuttle for placing said dagger in operative position to effect a change of filling, and connections between said devices and the shuttle-boxes to-suspend the effective action of said devices until a subsequent return of the practically-exhausted shuttle to the filling-changing side of the loom.

7. In a loom the following instrumentalities, viz: shifting or drop shuttle-boxes, a filling-changing mechanism including a transferrer, a dagger connected to the latter, an indicator provided with means controlled by the condition of filling in the active shuttle for placing said dagger in operative position to effect a change of filling, and connections between said indicator and shuttleboxes for moving the former in unison with the latter to carry the said means from operative engagementwith said dagger.

4 S. In a loom the following instrumentalities, viz: shifting or drop shuttle-boxes, a filling-changing mechanism including a transferrer, a dagger connected to the latter, an

indicator carrying a series of dogs or lifters,`

connections between said indicator and dropboxes to move the former in unison with the latter and an actuator controlled by the condition of filling in the active shuttle to raise a dog or lifter.

9. Ina loom the following instrumentalities, viz: shifting or drop sh uttle-boxes, a filling-changing mechanism including a transferrer, a dagger connected to the latter, an indicator carrying a series of dogs or lifters, connections between said indicator and dropboXes to move the former in unison with the latter, an actuator controlled by the condition of filling in the active shuttle to raise a dog or lifter, and means to maintain the latter in such position.

` IO. In a loom the following instrumentalities, viz: shifting or drop shuttle-boxes, a filling-changing mechanism, an indicator provided with devices for controlling the operative condition of such mechanism, means for moving the indicator in unison with theshuttle-boxes, an electric circuit, including an electromagnet, completed by a condition of practical exhaustion of filling in an active shuttle, and an actuator for said devices under control of the electromagnet.

l1. In a loom the following instrumentalities, viz: shifting or drop shuttle-boxes, a filling-changing mechanism, means for rendering said, mechanism operative to effect a change of filling when that in an active shuttle has become practically exhausted, and devices for suspending the effective condition of vsaid means when the shuttleboxes are changed after the entrance thereinto of the practicallyfexhausted shuttle and to restore said effective condition on the return of said shuttle to action. v

I2. In a loom the following instrumentalities, viz: shifting or drop shuttle-boxes, afilling-changing mechanism including a transferrer, a dagger connected to said transferrer, an indicator provided with a series of dogs or lifters, connections between the shuttle-boxes and indicator to move the latter inunison with the former, an actuator for said dogs or lifters, means for reciprocating said actuator, an electric circuitincluding an electromagnet controlling the path of movement of' said actuator, and devices for closing said circuit on vthe practical exhaustion of filling in an active shuttle whereby the actuator is caused to raise a dog or lifter to place the daggerin operative position- 13. In ailoom the following instrumentalities, viz: shifting or drop shuttle-boxes, a filling-changing mechanism including a transferrer and dagger, means for positioning the latter to cause a change of filling when that in an active shuttle has become practically exhausted, the lay, a bunter carried by the lay, and devicesA for moving the bunter so as not to contact with the dagger under normal working conditions of the loom.

14. In a loom the following instrumentali- IOO IIO

ties, viz: shifting or drop shuttle-boxes, a llmoving the vbunter so as not to contact with 1o ing-changing mechanism including a transthe dagger; ferrer and dagger, means for positioning the In testimony whereof I have signed my latter to effect a change of filling when that name-to this specification in the presence of in an active shuttle has become practically two subscribing witnesses.

exhausted, connections between said means HARRY W". SMITH. and shuttle-boxes to cause said means and Witnesses: shuttle-boxes to move in unison, the lay, a GRACE I. BEMIS,

bunter carried by the lay and devices foil CHARLES F. ALDRICH. 

